Daniel John Schachte

MADISON - Daniel John “Dan” Schachte, born July 13, 1958, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Affectionately known by many as “Schnook,” Dan was a force in this world and we will all miss him terribly.  

Born in Madison, Wis., Dan grew up in nearby Monona with his parents and three siblings, where he hunted, fished, and picked on his siblings in true older-brother fashion. During middle school, Dan took up refereeing youth hockey games in his spare time. Upon graduating from Monona Grove High School in 1976, Dan enrolled at the University of Wisconsin where he was a member of Wisconsin hockey’s varsity reserve team. While a member of the team, coach “Badger Bob” Johnson helped Dan enter the world of officiating, kickstarting a career spanning more than three decades.

During his stint in the amateur ranks, Dan was a part of the infamous “Water Bottle Game” between WCHA foes Wisconsin and North Dakota where he could be seen diving into clusters of sparring players to break up skirmishes. Dan was just 24 years old when he entered the National Hockey League as a linesman in 1982. During his time in the NHL, Dan became the first American official to work more than 2,000 regular-season games. In addition, he officiated 221 NHL playoff games and five Stanley Cup finals. He also worked the 1991 Canada Cup, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Dan retired from the NHL in 2012 after the Chicago Blackhawks handed the visiting Washington Capitals a 5-2 loss at the United Center. Every player from both teams stayed on the ice after the game to shake his hand and congratulate him on a great career. Dan was also an elected member of the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as the Madison Sports Hall of Fame, where he was named the 2004 Area Sportsperson of the Year and the 2012 Pat Richter Favorite Sibling Award recipient.

Throughout his career, Dan made a point of giving back to the game in any way he could. Together with his wife and fellow Wisconsin hockey community members, he helped establish the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League and the WAHA Cup, ensuring access to elite-level hockey programs for Wisconsin’s youth players. In addition to coaching and developing youth hockey, he also served as a mentor to countless young officials through education programs at USA Hockey and during his time as Hockey East’s coordinator of officials. He was willing to mentor anyone and greatly enjoyed teaching everyone the game he loved.

Dan’s love for the game of hockey was second only to the love he had for his wife, Kim, whom he affectionately called “Kimmy,” and their four children. Dan worked a busy schedule during his NHL career and relished the time he was able to spend with his family on off-days. When he wasn’t on the ice, Dan also loved to hunt and fish. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a die-hard Packers and Brewers fan, and he found no greater joy than when he was watching his kids participate in their various sports. He loved cooking steaks on the grill and taking his dog on walks in Shoveler’s Sink. He was a handyman who could fix anything and a comedian whose timing and delivery rivaled that of Rodney Dangerfield and Johnny Carson. He was the best father a kid could ask for and he absolutely adored his wife of 35 years.

Dan is survived by the love of his life, Kim; sons, Danny (Erica) and Ian; daughters, Lauren and Maddy; and grandson, Dash Nolan. He is also survived by his mother, Char; sisters, Ann and Kay; brother, Dave (Gina); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Norb.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding, with a luncheon to follow at church. Words of remembrance will begin at 10:45 a.m. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, we ask all who are willing and able to continue Dan’s legacy of growing the sport he loved by making a donation in his name to The Jingles O’Brien Scholarship Fund, a non-profit dedicated to helping kids in the greater Madison area get access to the great game of hockey. More information can be found at www.jinglesobriensf.com. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Dan's LIVE STREAM Service will begin at 11 a.m CT on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

There are two ways to join the Live Webcast:  

1. Scroll down to the Events, under the Livestream Service click on "Watch Event"  

2. Click on tribute wall (above) and click on "Live Webcast"